AdvisorShares Ranger Equity Bear ETF (HDGE) — a fund that shorts stocks — is up nearly 18% this year. Brad Lamensdorf, co-manager, is concerned about the exposure to bad loans (especially energy company debt) held by big banks such as Royal Bank of Scotland, Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank. Source: CNN Money
China’s economic growth cooled to its weakest pace since the global financial crisis in the third quarter, with regulators pledging further policy support as a years-long campaign to tackle debt risks and the trade war with the United States began to bite. Source: Reuters
If Theresa May wanted proof she is running out of friends in Europe, she need only have ventured to the Roy d’Espagne brasserie in Brussels late last night. For while the Prime Minister dined alone after another summit mauling, Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron and the rest of their European chums were drinking the night away and enjoying the city’s famous beers. Source The Telegraph
President Donald Trump says it “certainly looks” as though missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is dead. Trump did not say Thursday what he based his conclusion on. But he says the consequences for the Saudis “will have to be very severe” if they are found to have killed him. Trump has previously warned that the kingdom will face “severe punishment” from the U.S. if it is determined that Saudi Arabia was responsible for Khashoggi’s death. Khashoggi hasn’t been seen since entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul more than two weeks ago. Turkish authorities say he was killed and dismembered. The Saudis have denied involvement. Source AP News
